Neutered cat spraying

Question
Hi Norman,
We have a neutered male cat who has been our pet for 10 years. He suddenly sprayed inside a cardboard box we left out for him to play in (you are aware cats love boxes as toys).  We were astonished he did this & wouldn't have believed it if we hadn't witnessed it.  We removed the box, thinking it may have a scent from another cat.  Next day, we replaced it with another box, and he sprayed the inside of that one, also.  We removed it.  Today, he sprayed the outside of a 3rd box, which has been in the same spot as the other two boxes for 3 months.  We've ordered a product from the Dr. Foster & Smith web site but it hasn't arrived as yet, so I can't say we've tried anything except removing all boxes.  Do you have a clue for us in the meantime?

Thanks!
Bev


Answer
Bev,

I really cannot answer your question as to why your boy sprayed the first time.  However, to get the spray smell out, you need to use an enzyme based pet odor and stain remover product (available in farm stores and at your neighborhood pet supermarket.  If your boy smells his urine in an area, he may feel it is appropriate to pee there! You will not get the smell out of the cardboard boxes, but the smell may still be in the area where the cardboard boxes were.

To discourage this behavior, you can try a Feliway diffuser in the room where the boxes have been.

Good luck and best regards... Norm.